AHS Subject Guides: Reading: 1. Introduction to Online Sources

Reading: Literacy Workshop

Introduction to Online Sources (updated 2-2020)

• Information literacy topics covered
• Determining the best sources
• Searching strategies for information
• Evaluating sources
• Using technology tools

1. Explain objective: To distinguish between different formats of research materials available online and determine the level of authority of the information, and to develop and practice searching strategies for relevant information.

 

2. Discussion:

Research Project about a social issue. Students will write a short paper arguing a point of view about a social issue.

• What is a social issue?
• Social Issues:

• ?
• ?
• ?

How do you start to find information for your research?

• ?
• ?
• ?

What kind of information will you find online?

• ?
• ?
• ?

3. Discuss:

What is a periodical?

Can you name 4 different types of periodicals?

Types of periodicals: Learn about the criteria that defines each type

• ?
• ?
• ?

4. Discuss: :

Where will you look for online information?

Let’s start with some online databases. (See lesson plan for notes):

 

5. School Product Database Sites (paid subscription $$$):

Examples:

ProQuest: SIRS

 

5.a. Discussion: School Product Database:

SIRS

Main points: (See lesson plan for notes)

 

6. Multi-disciplinary Academic Database: (paid subscription $$$):  

Example:

ESBCO:  ResearchIT CT OneSearch

 

 

6.a. Discussion:  Multi-disciplinary Academic Database:

EBSCO’s ResearchIT CT OneSearch

Main points: (See lesson plan for notes)
 

 

7. Search SIRS to start browsing topics.

- Search SIRS “View all Issues” to look at topics that might interest you.

- Complete the form “Step 1 - Pick a Topic”.

- Choose 2 topics of interest.

- Answer questions about your interests, the purpose of the project, and the intended audience.

Additional Tips:

Get a library card so you can use iConn at home.

Practice searching our databases:

SIRS

Research IT CT/Resources for High Schools/ (all the databases for journals)

You are MORE likely to find something useful for school FASTER from a paid database than from a web search.

Everything that ISN’T useful has NOT been included.

Everything you find in a full-text search is really available, as opposed to just being a summary (abstract).

You can avoid “pseudo-authoritative” sources written by people who confuse opinion with science, and beliefs with objective facts.